This article features Kimberly Costas, MD, a Cardiovascular/Thoracic Surgeon and Oncologist at Providence Medical Group's Cardiac Surgery Clinic, located in North Everett.
Each year, more than 226,000 Americans are diagnosed with lung cancer. This is the deadliest of cancers: Every year, more people die of lung cancer than of breast, colon and prostate cancers combined. Undeniably, smoking plays a starring role in these sobering statistics.
Fortunately, there is extensive evidence that if lung cancer is detected early and treated, the odds for survival go up considerably. The question for doctors: How can we detect it, before symptoms develop, when we have the best chance of treating and beating it?
Low-dose CT lung cancer screening, available through the Providence Regional Cancer Partnership, has shown great promise for detecting lung cancer for smokers who fit certain criteria.
Research published by the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) in June 2011 showed a 20 percent decrease in lung cancer-related mortality among high-risk patients when a series of three annual low-dose CT screening examinations was performed, compared to a series of three chest x-rays.
Providence's lung cancer screening program relies on a low-dose helical CT, which uses x-rays to scan the entire chest during a single, large breath-hold. A computer assembles the resulting images into detailed, two-dimensional views of the lung to be reviewed for cancer. This screening delivers a much lower dose of radiation than a regular diagnostic CT.
People between the ages of 55 and 74 with a 30-pack-year* history of smoking may benefit from lung cancer screening. The exams are intended for patients with increased risk, but no current symptoms.
* A pack year equals the number of packs smoked per day times the number of years smoked. For example, two packs per day for 15 years, or one pack per day for 30 years both equal 30 pack years.